Paint recycling

There are many ways home that paint can be recycled. Most often, the highest quality of latex paint is sorted out and turned back into recycled paint that can be used. Recycled paint is environmentally preferable to new paint, while still maintaining comparable quality. In many cases, reusable paints of the same color are pumped into a tank where the material is mixed and tested. The paint is adjusted with additives and colorants as necessary. Finally, the paint is fine filtered and packaged for sale. If a local paint recycling program is available, you can recycle excess paint so that others can use it and it won't harm end up in landfills or waterways. Recycled paint is reprocessed or reblended and then resold.

Gather all the paint you no longer need. Identify a local paint-recycling center by contacting your county or city recycling coordinator or by searching "paint recycling” online. Inquire about which types of paints are accepted in the program Take your remaining paint to the recycling center or schedule a pick-up if the option is available in your area. Inquire about recycling your old steel paint cans; many recycling centers also recycle paint cans.

Many people buy extra paint just in case they run out. To cut down on waste paint, do your best to buy accurately. How much paint you’ll need to color your house may depend on the material your wall is made of and the colors you’re covering up, as well as how much square-foot space you’ll need to cover. Buy only the paint you’ll use. A salesperson at your local paint store should be able to help you figure out how many gallons your project will need.

Instead of throwing out or storing an inch or two of leftover paint, put it on your wall. This will save you the storage space as well as help the environment.

Instead of using a primer coat, consider painting over your old color with some leftover paint before putting the new color on. This works particularly well if your old color is bright and difficult to conceal, and if your leftover paint is a neutral color. This may save you a second coat of your new color.

Paint can stay fresh for years if it’s sealed the right way. To do this, put a sheet of plastic wrap over the top of your paint can, then seal the can and store it upside down. This creates an airtight seal that locks the paint in, keeping it from getting crusty and unusable. The plastic layer makes it easier for you to open the can again when you need to.

If you’ve got a lot of leftover paint, there are plenty of places that would love to take it off your hands. A high school drama department or community theatre group may be grateful for it—all colors of paint are useful in building sets. Your local Habitat for Humanity, church or synagogue, or another charity may want it as well. If all else fails, put up a post on an online classified site like Craigslist.org. You shouldn’t have trouble finding someone who’s on the lookout for free paint

If you can’t find anyone to take your leftover paint, and don’t want to keep it for the next project, recycle it. Not all recycling depots take paint, so contact your local recycling depot before you take your paint over. Paint cans are made of steel, and they are also recyclable. They’ll need to be rinsed completely and dried before a recycling depot will take them. Many cities have paint recycling programs that will pick up your paint for you and reuse it—check with your city’s recycling department for more details.

If you have no recycling program in your state, seriously consider hanging on to your leftover paint until you can find someone who wants it. In many states, it’s actually illegal to throw paint in the trash because of the damage it does to oceans and drinking water. However, it’s relatively safe to dispose of latex-based paints if they are dried out first—they are more hazardous in liquid form. You should also give your community’s local hazardous waste coordinator or recycling department a call, to ask about regulations and laws in your area regarding paint disposal. Oil-based paints should not be thrown out in the trash.

Benefit of paint recycling

When recycled, latex paint can become a whole new product. It can be processed to make concrete, cement and other additives. It can be reprocessed into new paint, or it can be consolidated and reused. Anti-graffiti teams often use re-blended paint for covering clandestine paint jobs on public spaces

Oil-based paint can be burned as fuel to produce energy. While this energy is beneficial, this is an expensive proposition.

Paint cans are typically made of plastic, which may be recycled if all paint is removed. Check with your local recycling or HHW coordinator for more information.